Thursday December 16th, 2010 – According to reports received from Evin prison, Nasrin Sotoudeh, human rights lawyer on a dry hunger strike was transferred to Evin’s infirmary as a result of her rapidly deteriorating health condition. This is the third time Sotoudeh has started a hunger strike in the 100 days she has been incarcerated. Even though Sotoudeh’s physical health is dire as a result of her dwindling strength she has refused to end her hunger strike.

Based on the latest reports from Evin prison, Reza Khandan, Sotoudeh’s husband and her two children are extremely worried for her well being. To make matters worse, as a result of the Muharram holidays they have not been able to reach the judicial authorities to inquire about her condition.

According to reports received by Kalame, Nima Nasrin Sotoudeh’s three year old toddler continues to ask about his mother’s whereabouts and does not understand why his sister and father are so worried. Sotoudeh’s daughter Mehrabeh who herself is only twelve years has been consoling her three year old brother these days.

Arash Sadeghi, graduate student of philosophy at Alameh Tabatabai university and Gholam Hossein Arashi who had both protested last years election results are two other prisoners currently on hunger strike at Evin and in dire physical condition. Arashi’s family who live in the city of Karaj are very concerned for their son’s well being and have no one to turn to given that all government offices are closed for the Muharram holidays.

Gholam Hossein Arashi is one of the less known prisoners arrested after the rigged elections. Arashi was one of the 16 prisoners at Evin’s ward 350 who went on a two week hunger strike in the month of August protesting the unacceptable prison conditions. Arashi was arrested on February 6th last year and has endured very difficult conditions in ward 209 and ward 240 at Evin prison.

It is also reported that the physical conditions of Reza Shahbani imprisoned laborer and Mohammad Nourizad imprisoned movie director and journalist both also currently on a hunger strike has also deteriorated. Nourizad who reportedly suffered from gastric bleeding was transferred to the hospital. Reza Shahbani whose physical condition has deteriorated considerably is still on a hunger strike but is now drinking water. The officials have yet to respond to his complaints regarding the lack of attention to his case file. ﻿